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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2006 |
Contact: Lale Mamaux
Phone: (202)225-3001
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Wexler Questions FEMA's $22.6 Million Disbursement to Florida's Project H.O.P.E.
Sends Letter to FEMA Director Paulison Requesting an Immediate Investigation Into Whether the Funds were used Fraudulently
(Washington, D.C.) Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) sent the following letter to R. David Paulison the Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting an immediate investigation into the $22.6 million awarded by FEMA to Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People in Emergencies) of Florida for crisis counseling where media reports have raised serious questions of fraudulent use of funds.
According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Project H.O.P.E. is still in operation with about 450 workers across the state who spend much of their time leading games and performing shows for groups of residents, regardless of whether they were even affected by Hurricanes Wilma and Katrina. Project H.O.P.E is funded by FEMA, however the program is run through Florida’s Department of Children & Families, whose job is to identify victims suffering from psychological distress in the aftermath of a storm and provide counseling as well as referrals for food, clothing and other services; however according to news reports the use of these funds have been grossly misused. Wexler strongly believes this raises serious questions that must be answered particularly as it relates to the possible misuse of federal funds and the failure of either the state of Florida or the Bush Administration to provide sufficient oversight. Wexler is requesting that this matter be investigated immediately and the results of the inquiry be provided to Congress and the American public.
This is not the first incident in Florida where FEMA funds were used improperly. In January 2005, under the leadership of Former FEMA Director Michael Brown over $30 million in disaster relief money was disbursed by FEMA to over 10,000 Miami-Dade residents who made fraudulent claims following Hurricane Frances. The hurricane made landfall more than 100 miles away did not adversely affect Miami-Dade residents who experienced no more than a heavy rainstorm. (Please find below a copy of the letter):
October 11, 2006
R. David Paulison, Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, SW, Room 820
Washington, DC 20472
Dear Director Paulison:
I am writing to express my concerns about recent reports that the $22.6 million awarded by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Project H.O.P.E. in Florida for crisis counseling has been grossly misused. While we can all agree that crisis counseling can play a significant role in assisting individuals and families to rebuild their lives after a major storm, the various news accounts I have seen raise serious questions about the use of the funds and the failure of either the State of Florida or FEMA to provide adequate oversight.
With so many legitimate requests for assistance after the 2005 hurricane season still pending, I am deeply troubled about the possibility that fraud and abuse continue to plague our government’s disaster response effort. I certainly respect FEMA’s commitment to making assistance immediately available in the aftermath of a major storm; however, this laudable effort to get assistance as quickly as possible to state and local responders must also be accompanied by a vigorous oversight process to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely and to improve responses in future disasters.
Director Paulison, I am sure certain that you would agree that these troubling reports regarding Project H.O.P.E. merits a full an immediate review by FEMA and the Bush Administration. In this regard, I respectfully request that you investigate this matter thoroughly and share the results of your inquiry with Congress and the American people.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
With warm regards,
Robert Wexler
CC: Dan Shulman, Director of Legislative Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency
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